UNWTO: Artificial Intelligence to connect unemployed workers with jobs in tourism industry

Photo Credit: Syd Sujuaan

The United Nation’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has agreed to partner with California-based Artificial Intelligence company, Eightfold.ai, to link tourism job seekers with employers.

According to UNWTO, the partnership arose due to the loss of employment experienced in many countries due to the ongoing pandemic, mostly seen in the tourism industry.

The organization is to wield the Eightfold Talent Exchange, a platform online that connects workers impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic to relevant and appropriate job offers that specifically require their skill and qualifications.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has hot the global tourism sector hard, and up to 120 million jobs are at risk. However, tourism has a long history of adapting and embracing innovation. This partnership will be a great help to the many millions of people who are dependent on tourism for their livelihoods, while also connecting employers with the very best talent our sector has to offer.”

The platform, free of charge, bridges the gap that has been created between employee and employer, specifically in the service sector, due to the international restrictions and government regulations that have been implemented in multiple countries. 

Eightfold’s AI understands transferable skills for any role and matches people accordingly, providing new opportunities at other companies hiring. For affected individuals of the pandemic, relevant job offers are received automatically based on your experience and skills. New job offers are updated as well as more jobs get added.

Thus far, the Exchange consists of over 700,000 job openings available to 6000+ cities across US/Canada with offers also varying in part time, full time and gigs.

All 159 UNWTO member states as well as the more-than-500 Affiliate Members will have direct access to the platform. 

Kamal Ahluwalia, President of Eightfold.ai, added, “With Eightfold Talent Exchange, we’re providing all members of UNWTO with a platform that can unite Members over a shared goal: getting individuals who have lost their jobs back to work. The AI powering the Exchange understands the capabilities of each person: both the skills that they have from their work experience, and the skills that they could easily learn,”

The UNWTO is the United Nations specialized agency entrusted with the promotion of sustainable and universally accessible tourism.